AFCON 2023: Angola dispatch Namibia, reach quarter-final

Published

2 years ago

January 28, 2024

AFCON 2023: Angola dispatch Namibia, reach quarter-final

Gelson Dala raised his Africa Cup of Nations goal tally to four with a brace for 10-man Angola in a 3-0 last-16 triumph over Namibia in Bouake on Saturday.

Surprise package Angola will face Nigeria or Cameroon, who meet later in Abidjan, in a quarter-final next Friday.

After Dala scored twice in the first half, Mabululu netted midway through the second half to effectively end as a contest the clash of southern Africa neighbours.

Both teams were reduced to 10 men by first-half red cards with Angola goalkeeper Neblu and Namibia defender Lubeni Haukongo sent off.

The winning margin was a record for Angola, bettering two-goal victories over Senegal and Malawi in previous Cup of Nations.

The first of eight second-round fixtures was not one that would have been anticipated when the African football showpiece kicked off in the Ivory Coast 14 days ago.

Angola won a group ahead of Burkina Faso, Mauritania and shock casualties Algeria when they were expected to finish third at best given an AFCON record of just four victories in 26 matches.

The best Namibia had managed in three previous appearances was two draws while losing seven other matches. One of the draws was against Angola in Burkina Faso 26 years ago.

Angola, showing two changes from the team that started a win over Burkina Faso last Tuesday, were reduced to 10 men after just 17 minutes.

READ ALSO:

Neblu — one of many Angolans who use a nickname rather than their real name — handled a Bethuel Muzeu lob outside his area and was immediately red-carded.

Reserve goalkeeper Antonio Dominique came off the bench at the expense of midfielder Estrela and was quickly brought into action as he parried to safety a Deon Hotto free-kick.

After a water break to assist players performing in searing 34 degrees Celsius (93 Fahrenheit) heat, the match took a dramatic turn with two goals and another red card in four minutes.

A Gilberto cross and Fredy cutback set up Dala to sidefoot the ball into the corner of the net on 38 minutes.

Namibia surrendered their numerical advantage two minutes later when Haukongo was yellow-carded a second time and sent off by the Mauritanian referee.

Dala struck again on 42 minutes, powerfully heading a Fredy free-kick into the corner of the net to give Angola a two-goal advantage they retained until half-time.

After early second-half pressure from Namibia as they sought the goal that bring them back into contention for a last-eight place, Angola stretched their lead to three goals on 66 minutes.

Having fired narrowly wide, veteran Mabululu almost instantly atoned by sprinting on to a Dala pass before superbly curling a shot past goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua.

The unquenchable spirit of the Namibians in the face of a looming loss was demonstrated in the closing minutes when a Riaan Hanamub shot forced a spectacular save from Dominique.

In added time, Angola were denied a fourth goal when a shot from substitute Zito Luvumbo rebounded off the crossbar.

AFCON 2023: Angola dispatch Namibia, reach quarter-final

AFP

Related Topics:AFCON 2023 Angola Namibia

Up Next

(VIDEO) The whole stadium singing Osimhen Anthem after the final whistle

Don't Miss

I will leave Barcelona June 30, says Coach Xavi

La Liga: Barcelona Fight Back to Beat Atletico Madrid 2–1

Published

6 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Trends Admin

Robert Lewandowski

La Liga: Barcelona Fight Back to Beat Atletico Madrid 2–1

Barcelona continued their dominant run in La Liga with a dramatic 2–1 victory over Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium, strengthening their grip at the top of the table and boosting their title hopes. The win moves the Catalan giants seven points clear atop Spain’s top flight following Real Madrid’s surprise defeat to Mallorca.

Atletico appeared to be on course for a shock result when they opened the scoring early courtesy of Giuliano Simeone, who finished clinically after being set up by Clément Lenglet. The goal sparked wild celebrations among home fans and put pressure on league leaders Barcelona.

However, Barcelona responded with increased urgency and nearly levelled before halftime. Their persistence paid off when Marcus Rashford struck with a well‑worked finish involving Dani Olmo, netting his fifth goal of the season to equalise and restore parity going into the break.

Just minutes before the interval, Atletico Madrid suffered a significant setback when a tough challenge by González on teenage sensation Lamine Yamal resulted in a red card for denying a clear goal‑scoring opportunity. The dismissal left Atletico down to ten men and shifted momentum firmly in Barcelona’s favour.

READ ALSO:

After the break, Barcelona capitalised on their numerical advantage but found Atletico resolute in defence. The breakthrough came late when Robert Lewandowski, introduced from the bench, produced a sensational finish from a tight angle to seal the three points for the league leaders. The goal underscored Lewandowski’s reputation as one of Europe’s most clinical forwards.

The victory was especially noteworthy as it coincided with Real Madrid’s 2–1 loss to Mallorca, allowing Barcelona to open a seven‑point cushion at the top of the table. It also marked a milestone — the 300th goal under Barcelona manager Hansi Flick in just 107 games since his appointment in 2024.

With momentum clearly on their side, Barcelona now turn their attention to crucial fixtures ahead. Both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid will meet again in midweek for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter‑final tie, setting up a major European showdown between the rivals. Over the weekend, Barcelona will host Espanyol, while Atletico will travel to face Sevilla in their next La Liga fixture.

The result not only reinforces Barcelona’s strong position in the title race, but also highlights their resilience and ability to respond under pressure — key attributes in what promises to be a thrilling final stretch of the season.

La Liga: Barcelona Fight Back to Beat Atletico Madrid 2–1

Sports

Southampton Shocks Arsenal to Advance in FA Cup

Published

7 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Trends Admin

Southampton Shocks Arsenal to Advance in FA Cup

Southampton produced a sensational and inspiring performance on Saturday to eliminate Arsenal from the FA Cup, delivering one of the biggest upsets of the season. The Championship side’s tactical discipline and clinical finishing saw them beat the Premier League giants 2–1 at St Mary’s Stadium, sending shockwaves through English football and delighting their supporters.

Arsenal, who recently returned to the top of the Premier League and were seeking to bounce back from their League Cup final defeat to Manchester City, struggled to convert their dominance into goals. Despite creating numerous chances, the Gunners were made to pay for defensive lapses and costly mistakes, leaving them with a morale-deficit defeat ahead of their crucial Champions League fixture against Sporting Lisbon this week.

Southampton opened the scoring in the 35th minute through Ross Stewart, who capitalized on a poorly cleared set-piece to put the home side ahead. Arsenal fought back, equalizing before halftime via Viktor Gyökeres, who found the net following a rare defensive slip. However, Southampton’s persistence paid off late in the match when Shea Charles struck in the 85th minute, breaking Arsenal hearts and securing a historic victory.

READ ALSO:

After the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged that while his side dominated possession and created chances, the manner of the goals conceded was uncharacteristic. He admitted the team failed to capitalize on their opportunities and praised Southampton as a strong and confident side on a good run. Arteta also noted that adapting to challenging weather conditions and injuries was part of the game, emphasizing the need for resilience in the rest of the season.

Southampton midfielder Leo Scienza lauded his team’s effort, saying the victory was not luck but the result of hard work, preparation, and maturity on the field. He credited his teammates for staying composed in front of goal and highlighted the team’s tactical discipline in knowing when to defend and when to attack. Scienza admitted that football involves fine margins, noting near-misses during the game, but celebrated the overall team effort that led to their historic FA Cup triumph.

The result marks one of the tournament’s most remarkable giant-killing performances of the season. Southampton now carry confidence and momentum into the next round, while Arsenal must regroup to maintain their ambitions of winning multiple trophies this season. The match also reinforces the magic of the FA Cup, where lower-tier teams can challenge and defeat elite clubs, creating unforgettable moments in English football.

Southampton Shocks Arsenal to Advance in FA Cup

Sports

Haaland Hat-Trick Fires Manchester City Past Liverpool in FA Cup Quarter-Final

Published

21 hours ago

April 4, 2026

Trends Admin

Haaland Hat-Trick Fires Manchester City Past Liverpool in FA Cup Quarter-Final

Erling Haaland produced a sensational hat-trick as Manchester City thrashed Liverpool 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium to reach the FA Cup semi-finals, deepening the pressure on Reds manager Arne Slot. The comprehensive win extended City’s dominance over their rivals and highlighted their intent to compete for domestic silverware this season.

Haaland opened the scoring midway through the first half, converting a penalty awarded after Nico O’Reilly was fouled in the Liverpool box. City maintained control, and Haaland doubled the advantage in first-half stoppage time with a perfectly-timed header from a cross by Rayan Cherki. Liverpool struggled to respond, failing to capitalize on early opportunities from Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike.

READ ALSO:

Just five minutes after the interval, Antoine Semenyo added a third for City, latching onto another precise pass from Cherki to finish calmly past goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. Haaland completed his treble in the 57th minute, drilling home from 12 yards to underline City’s dominance. Salah later compounded Liverpool’s woes by having a penalty saved, adding to the Reds’ difficult afternoon.

The defeat marked a bitter setback for Liverpool, who have now won only two of their last seven matches in all competitions. Fans at the Etihad Stadium jeered Slot with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” as the team struggled to contain City’s attacking prowess. The loss leaves Liverpool fifth in the Premier League and under mounting pressure ahead of their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain.

City’s win also set new records in the FA Cup, marking their 18th consecutive home win in the competition and the third successive victory over Liverpool this season, a feat not achieved since 1937. The result showcased City’s ruthless efficiency, tactical discipline, and the devastating form of Haaland, who has now scored three times in consecutive fixtures against Liverpool.

With this commanding display, City can now set their sights on FA Cup glory and maintain hopes of challenging for the Premier League title, despite trailing leaders Arsenal by nine points. Manager Pep Guardiola’s side has found a rich vein of form at a crucial stage of the season, demonstrating their quality in both cup and league competitions.